Envelop-opener.



T. F. CONNOR.

ENVELOP OPEN' APPUCATION FILED APR.3.1916.

Patented May 6, 1919.

par

THOMASF. CONNOR, 0F DECKORAH, IOWA.

ENVELOP-OPENER.

ioaaia.

Application filed April 3, 1916.

To (LU 'fc/ont 'it may concern Be it kno-Wn that I, THOMAS F. CONNOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Decorah, in thecounty of Winneshiek and State of Iovva, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelop-Openers, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class 'of devices known as envelop openers, and

4relates particularly to an envelop opener which may be secured to the under side of a table, desk or the like, so that it may be always found Without delay, but which device may be so adjusted when it is not in use that it is out of the Way and practically concealed or out of sight. The invention has among its objects the production of an opener of the kind described that is simple, convenient, durable, efficient and attractive, that may be used Wherever found applicable. It has particularly as an object the production of a device that Will never be mislaid, but when not in use will not be in the Way; that will not deface the desk or table upon Which it is arranged, and Which will not interfere with the use of the top of the desk or table.

Other objects and advantages of the construction herein shoWn Will appear to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

To this end iny invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts,

Figure l is a. perspective view of a portion of a desk With my device applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the desk top and my preferred form of device;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 4c is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, in Which my deviceis shown, l represents a desk or table top, or any other fixture, article of furniture or the like, suitable for the attachment of my device, and upon which the device may conveniently be used. The device is primarily intended for the purpose of opening envelops or other Wrappers, and is arranged on the under side of the desk top, the preferred constructions being such that Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May '5, it-i9.

Serial No. 88,737.

the device may be adjusted to operativev positionvwvhen it is desired to use the saine, and yet moved back out of operative posi* tion where it will be concealed and not be in the way, when the same is not to be used. The form of device illustrated particularly in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, consists of a blade 2, Which is formed With an extension 3 at one end, having slot 4 formed therein. Secured to the desk top l is a plate or supporting member 5, having a` threaded opening 6 therein, so as to engage With the threads on a thumb screw 7, which extends through the extensions 3 and slidably secures the blade to the support 5. The support 5 is preferably fianged as at 8 (see Figs. 3 and Ll) so as to engage the edge or end of the extension 3 and prevent the blade and its extension pivoting about the bolt 7, or moving laterally.

The blade is beveled on one edge, as shown on the inner edge, and is preferably beveled at the end 10. If desired, the corner 10 may be rounded off, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 2 the device is shown in operative posi-tion in the full lines and by dotted lines adjusted out of operative position. To use the device the envelop is taken substantially as indicated by the dotted envelop 20 in Figs. 1 and 2, and the blade inserted at any convenient point, as for example at 2l, under the iiap, and the envelop moved toward the closed or supported end of the blade. The envelop is thus readily and conveniently opened. The purpose of the beveled end l0 is to prevent the blade catching any of the contents of the envelop and tearing or cutting it. This is also the obj ect in rounding ofi' the same at 10 shown in Fig. 2. When all the envelops of the mail have been opened the device may be pushed back under the desk top so that it is substantially as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The same may be secured in its operative or inoperative position by means of the thumb screw 7. Inasmuch as the device cannot be mislaid and is always convenient for use, the same is a time-saver of no small importance.

Having thus described my invention, it is Obvious that various immaterial modications may be made in the same Without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is In an envelop opener for desk tops and in combination, a base plate and means for attaching the same to the underside of the projecting edge of a desk, a coperating member having a slot therein closed at the ends provided with a cutting blade having the inner edge sharpened and its free end beveled, and adjustable means extending through said slot for slidably securing and locking said coperating member on said plate and limiting its sliding movement, whereby the plate may be positioned beneath member at the end opposite the cutting blade and prevent turning movement of the coperating member on said adjustable securing and locking means when in operation. ln testimony whereof, l have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS F. CONNR. Witnesses:

F. E. CRATSENBERG, E; L. AMUNDSEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of :Patents Washington, D. C. 

